A new beatus in the making...

Building work has begun in the Vatican.

The Chapel of St Sebastian, in between the Pieta and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Peter's, is covered with tarpaulin, and the body of Blessed Innocent XI has been removed.

Rumours abound that the Venerable John Paul II is going to be translated into this chapel, if and when he is beatified. The chapel is watched over by the statues of Pope Pius XI and the Venerable Pius XII.

I'll check it out myself next time I go.

Incidentally, the cause for Blessed Innocent XI was indefinitely suspended recently, as an Italian couple, who once wrote a story book, claimed that the Pope - who was instrumental in ecclesiastical reforms of the 17th century, and in the repulsion of Islam from western Europe - supported the overthrow of the last Catholic King of England, James II. I don't know where is relics, contained in a silver effigy, have been translated to.

I wonder whether he has been moved down the table in heaven...